Hi there, I’m Tony, and I’m new to the forum.
I’m worried about my psa levels.
My GP phoned today and said the levels were extremely high and combined with the dre test, he was very concerned.
He referred me as red flag to my local hospital, but I phoned them to check if there were any cancellations but they said if there are, they just pick the next on the list. But what concerns me is they told me the soonest appointment for a red flag referral is 6-8 weeks!
Anyone else been in a similar situation?
And also, does extremely high psa levels and an abnormal dre test always mean prostate cancer?
Thanks everyone
Hi !
I’m sorry to hear that you GP gave a very weird diagnos, just saying you’re having very high PSA and the DRE and that that gave him comcerns without specifying more
Saying vey high PSA i basically not that useful. The higher the more likely it’s Protate cancer, that’s the sad truth and extremily high PSa suggest spred.
But PSA is only small indicator and with different types of scans and probably biopsies than you will get full diagnos and then a treatment plan should be created, most probably with several different treatment modalities.
I’m personally saying that your GP should really need a training course in how to prepare his patient with valid information you actually can understand
Best wishes - Ulf
Hi Alpine. I’m really scared today as I contacted my GP and was told my PSA level was 77.
Good Afternoon Anthony (Anthony5)
I can understand your shock at an initial PSA of 77 (mine was 182 - click on my avatar or name for my full journey) - so it would be great to get things moving.
Have a look at my original post on the first page and see if you can push your appointment forward - I have given you the links to the NHS Guidelines.
If you have any problems please do come back to me - a fact to remember whilst waiting for a diagnosis and treatment plan is is that 98% of people diagnosed with prostate cancer die WITH it not OF it
Best wishes - Brian.
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OK Anthony5 - don’t panic: 77 is high but Millibob started at something like 183 I think, and he’s on a curative pathway. In my opinion, it is highly likely to be prostate cancer (especially with DRE result). Why did you have a PSA Test? Was it routine or were you having problems?
Notwithstanding the above, you need to go to your GP surgery and demand to be put on bicalutamide as soon as possible (I literally would be looking g to collect the prescription today) as a pre-curser to hormone therapy, and a few months down the line, radiotherapy. I’m pretty sure that removal won’t be an option and even if it was, you would need to be on hormone therapy ASAP, to stop the cancer in its tracks. If you do this, it takes all the time pressure off. Keep a clear head and don’t panic. But don’t just sit there and accept things that someone has told you on the phone. Go in person. Do it. Now.
AW
There was a precedent set, during COVID, for hormone therapy prior to surgery due to long waiting list and difficulties getting surgery slots. So if you’re keen to go that route (which I think would be closed to you anyway), it would still be possible to get HT early. Don’t be fobbed off if they say that you have to wait for the full diagnostic pathway to be completed. AW
They won’t necessarily hand out the pills today - so don’t worry if they don’t - but taking this action will elevate your case to urgent status and should move things along quickly to MRI. AW
Hi Anthony
We spoke earlier in the week, 77 is highish but not over the top
Your Dr said extremely high and I thought it could well be in the hundreds.
So could still potentially be a local or locally advanced .tumour if indeed it is cancer which no one knows for certain.
Try and push for a MRI asap cos that will give u more info into sizing and location.
Best wishes
Steve
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